FORMER COACHES
One of the most important persons in the life of a gymnast, who is committed to succeed in her sport, is her coach. We want to acknowledge the debt we owe to these professionals, many of whom have devoted their lives to help athletes become the best they can be.

Madame Ivanka Tchakarova (1932 - 2009) - top-level coach, Brevet Judge, former Vice-President of F.I.G. for eight years and Honorary Member of that organization, the woman who built Spanish RSG much as Evelyn Koop built Canadian rhythmic gymnastics - in a speech to other Canadian rhythmic coaches and officials:
          "None of us would be here if it weren't for Evelyn Koop and Kalev. Her club was always at the top, and it always will be, because of Evelyn. She is the one to bring the best coaches to Canada, the first to organize a federation here and the championships. She has devoted her whole life to fight for the sport and for Canada."

Short video clip
In this composite picture are some of the coaches Madame Tchakarova referred to, European-trained coaches who were given their first Canadian coaching experience by Evelyn Koop and Kalev. Others were students of Evelyn Koop and continued her work. They all have helped develop rhythmic gymnastics in Canada. Centered here are photos of two Kalev pianists: Ethel Garrett and Esko Luksepp, dedicated musicians who, for many years, spent hours every week in the gym, providing music for the exercises.
former coaches

Reet Altosaar, Victoria Ataol, Lissa Barnsley, Stephanie Barnsley, Julia Bendersky, Marta Bobo, Tamara Bompa, Elvira Boudakova, Ilona Busch, Don Calderwood, Tony Dabrovska, Janet Davis, Rosemary DeMeo, Ludmila Dimitrova, Liliana Dimitrova-Petkov, Monica Eder, Anu Ewen, Brian Foley, Denise Fujiwara, Theresa Fung, Jessica Helps, Siina Kaasekamp, Bella Ketslakh, Triinu Kimmel, Julia Kipshidze, Heli Kivilaht, Valve Kivilo, Tamar Krauss, Reet Krieger, Karmen Kruusmagi, Anne and Katrin Kuus, Rita Laur, Kelly Li, Emilie Livingston, Vanessa Livingston, Antonia (Toni) Markova, Clare McFarquhar, Kristina Meipoom, Nadia Mihalayova, Janika Mölder, Tuulika Mölder, Stefka Moutafchieva, Heli Oder, Zlatka Parleva, Katrin Pettinen, Annely Riga, Juana Rodriguez, Ingrid Saar, Danuta Smiechowski, Larissa Solovieva, Temanuga (Nushka) Stoycheva, Rachel Sugar, Daniela Tchakarova, Ivanka Tchakarova, Anjelika Ternovski, Kati Tihane, Elena Tkachenka, Polina Tzankova, Karen Viinamae, Susanna Wadsten, Yukiko Marumono, Helen Zivic et al.